State Feed: Illinoishttp://www.citizensincharge.org/states/Illinois/rss
State RSS FeedsenIllinois term limits group likely has enough signatures for ballot questionhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-term-limits-group-likely-has-enough-signatures-for-ballot-question
<p>A proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution to impose term limits on lawmakers apparently has enough valid signatures to appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.</p><p>Rupert Borsgmiller, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said Monday that a preliminary review of petitions filed by the Committee for Legislative Reform and Term Limits showed that about 60 percent of the signatures on the petitions are valid.</p><p><a href="http://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-term-limits-group-likely-has-enough-signatures-for-ballot-question">read more</a></p>ballot questionIllinoisinitiativeJournal Starsignaturesterm limitsTue, 03 Jun 2014 12:24:05 -0400Neal4816 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIL Redistricting Initiative Short on Signatureshttp://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/neal/il-redistricting-initiative-short-on-signatures
<p>Proponents of the “Yes for Independent Maps” initiative campaign in Illinois were dealt a blow last week when election authorities found over half the signatures checked as part of a random sample were invalid. Officials within the initiative campaign attacked the random sample process, contending there are more than enough valid signatures to put the measure on the ballot in November.<br /> <br />&#8220;We believe that the state ran a rushed, uneven, and back-room signature validation process, and that&#8217;s the reason for the unacceptable validity rate,&#8221; said Campaign Manager Michael Kolenc.<br /> </p><p><a href="http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/neal/il-redistricting-initiative-short-on-signatures">read more</a></p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/neal/il-redistricting-initiative-short-on-signatures#commentsIllinoisinitativeredistrictingsignaturesThu, 29 May 2014 17:01:22 -0400Neal4813 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois election board says redistricting group short of valid signatures for ballot measurehttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-election-board-says-redistricting-group-short-of-valid-signatures-for-ballot-measure
<p>The group that wants to take the politically powerful process of drawing election maps away from Illinois lawmakers is facing more challenges after election authorities found that a majority of petition signatures needed to put the question to voters were invalid.</p><p>State Board of Elections executive director Rupert Borgsmiller said less than half of a 5 percent sample of signatures submitted by the &#8220;Yes for Independent Maps&#8221; campaign were valid — dealing a blow to an effort that already faces a court challenge in Chicago. But campaign officials say they&#8217;ve got enough valid signatures to put the constitutional amendment on the ballot in November and argue the state was &#8220;sloppy&#8221; in verifying signatures.</p><p><a href="http://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-election-board-says-redistricting-group-short-of-valid-signatures-for-ballot-measure">read more</a></p>Daily JournalIllinoispetitionredistrictingsignaturesThu, 22 May 2014 13:28:07 -0400Neal4807 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgPaul Jacob Will Speak at Taxpayers United Anniversary Celebrationhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/trevor-ford/paul-jacob-will-speak-at-taxpayers-united-anniversary-celebration
<p>If you&#8217;re in the Chicago area tonight come check out the 35th Anniversary celebration for Taxpayers United of America. Our very own Paul Jacob will be a featured speaker at the event:</p> <p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />November 2nd, 2011<br />Contact: Jim Tobin (773) 354-2076 | Christina Tobin (312) 320-4101</p> <p>CHICAGO””Taxpayers United of America (TUA), one of the largest taxpayer organizations in the country and founded in 1976 by Jim Tobin, will hold its 35th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. The event will be at the University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe St., Chicago, and will start at 6 pm.</p> <p>Members of the media are invited. (The University Club requires jackets, ties optional, and no denim.)</p> <p>Speakers include:</p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/trevor-ford/paul-jacob-will-speak-at-taxpayers-united-anniversary-celebration#commentsIllinoisThu, 03 Nov 2011 12:48:24 -0400Trevor Ford4142 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois: Voters reject property tax referendumhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-voters-reject-property-tax-referendum
<p>West Northfield School District 31 is considerating more than $1 million in budgets cuts in the wake of voters’ rejection April 5 of a property tax referendum. Three teachers and an assistant principal who are retiring will not be replaced. Other cuts on the table include the elimination of transportation for before- and after-school student activities; the reduction or elimination of extracurricular sports, clubs, and activities; and the elimination of summer school, except for special education programs that are mandated by law.</p><p><a href="http://triblocal.com/northbrook/2011/04/20/with-ballot-measure-failing-dist-31/">Read the story from the <em>Tribune Local</em></a></p><p><a href="http://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-voters-reject-property-tax-referendum">read more</a></p>IllinoisTribune LocalMon, 25 Apr 2011 12:23:29 -04003808 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois: School renovation referendum defeated at pollshttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-school-renovation-referendum-defeated-at-polls
<p>Voters by a wide margin shot down a $174 million plan to renovate and add on to New Trier High School&#8217;s Winnetka campus. Sixty-three percent of voters said no the ballot initiative, with a final vote tally of 13,713 to 8,068.</p><p><a href="http://www.pioneerlocal.com/glencoe/news/2983638,glencoe-yirhoriz-123010-s1.article">Read the story from <em>Pioneer Press</em></a></p>IllinoisPioneer PressMon, 03 Jan 2011 14:38:08 -05003490 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgRed Light Cameras Routed at Ballot Box - Including in America's 4th Largest Cityhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/brandon/red-light-cameras-routed-at-ballot-box-including-in-americas-4th-largest-city
<p>After <a href="/blog/brandon/petitions-against-east-cleveland-oh-traffic-cameras-to-hit-streets-before-tickets-do">blogging yesterday</a> about traffic enforcement cameras in Ohio, a reader pointed me to <a href="http://thenewspaper.com/news/33/3311.asp">this excellent breakdown</a> of red-light and speed camera votes around the country from TheNewspaper.com. According to the article, the cameras have never survived a public vote: they usually lose by margins of two-to-one.</p><p>Among the five additional communities to ban cameras is Houston, Texas - America&#8217;s fourth largest city:</p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/brandon/red-light-cameras-routed-at-ballot-box-including-in-americas-4th-largest-city#commentsAlaskaCaliforniaIllinoisMarylandOhioTexasWashingtonTue, 16 Nov 2010 12:22:14 -0500Staff3397 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgCitizens' Rights Safe in Many States as State Legislatures End Sessionshttp://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/brandon/citizens-rights-safe-in-many-states-as-state-legislatures-end-sessions
<p></p><p>Of the 45 states whose legislatures <a href="http://www.multistate.com/site.nsf/sessions2010?OpenPage">hold sessions</a> in 2010, 27 of them have adjourned for the year, and 5 more will wrap up before the end of the month. Of the more than 80 bills dealing with the initiative and referendum process in various states, 51 of them would have reduced citizens’ initiative rights. Thanks to the work of activists in our coalitions, only 3 bills reducing citizen’s rights have passed and become law.</p><p><a href="http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/brandon/citizens-rights-safe-in-many-states-as-state-legislatures-end-sessions">read more</a></p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/brandon/citizens-rights-safe-in-many-states-as-state-legislatures-end-sessions#commentsAlabamaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoDelawareIllinoisMaineMarylandMinnesotaMissouriNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaUtahVermontWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingNationalTue, 18 May 2010 14:23:59 -0400Staff2878 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois: Anti corruption amendment still needs signatureshttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-anti-corruption-amendment-still-needs-signatures
<p>The Fair Map Amendment proposal touted by supporters as an anti-corruption tool is falling way short in its quest to get on the November ballot with a deadline fast approaching. The proposed citizen initiative has garnered more than 120,000 petition signatures to get it on the ballot, but that is less than 50 percent of the 288,000-signature threshold. Supporters of the amendment had hoped to finish the petition drive by April 1, but that deadline has come and gone.</p>IllinoisThe TelegraphTue, 20 Apr 2010 11:13:51 -04002736 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois: State legislative redistricting focus of legislation and citizen initiativehttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-state-legislative-redistricting-focus-of-legislation-and-citizen-initiative
<p>Some say changing the culture of corruption in Illinois will require changing the way the state draw legislative districts. Monday night a state Senate committee approved a constitutional amendment that would do that, but it&#8217;s not the change for which many reformers had hoped. A citizen group is hoping they&#8217;ve gathered enough signatures to put their plan on the November ballot instead.</p><p><a href="http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=9921&amp;type=top">Read the story from WSIL 3</a></p>IllinoisWSIL 3Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:47:16 -04002707 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois: Voters may be asked to weigh in on flooding and O'Hare airporthttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-voters-may-be-asked-to-weigh-in-on-flooding-and-ohare-airport
<p>Park Ridge voters could see questions on their November election ballot asking if they are willing to support funding for flood control and a fight against O&#8217;Hare Airport. On Monday night 3rd Ward Alderman Don Bach asked that in April the council continue discussion of possible referendum questions related to issuing bonds to complete flood-control projects and funding efforts related to reducing O&#8217;Hare noise and traffic.</p>IllinoisPark Ridge Herald AdvocateWed, 24 Mar 2010 13:16:34 -04002649 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois Governor Calls for Initiative...But Only for Ethics.http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/trevorf/illinois-governor-calls-for-initiativebut-only-for-ethics
<p>It&#8217;s great that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn <a href="http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/01/quinn-hits-campaign-themes-in-state-of-state-speech.html">called for</a> Illinois citizens to be able to put ethical reform measures on the ballot, but why stop there? Shouldn&#8217;t they be allowed to vote on tax and spending issues as well? What about marriage, school bonds, or smoking bans?</p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/trevorf/illinois-governor-calls-for-initiativebut-only-for-ethics#commentsIllinoisThu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:30 -0500Staff2343 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois: Governor calls for initiative on ethics standardshttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-governor-calls-for-initiative-on-ethics-standards
<p>Quinn said he realized there may be &#8220;more to do&#8221; and underscored his long desire to put on the ballot an initiative that would let voters decide whether they could vote in ethical standards for officials in local and state governments throughout Illinois. &#8220;We have shown that when people work together, we can accomplish great things,&#8221; Quinn said.</p><p><a href="http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/01/quinn-hits-campaign-themes-in-state-of-state-speech.html">Read the story from the <em>Chicago Tribune</em></a></p>Chicago TribuneIllinoisThu, 14 Jan 2010 09:59:48 -05002339 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois' Tough Initiative Processhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/trevorf/illinois-tough-initiative-process
<p>Illinois is technically an initiative state, but the process is very difficult.Â Illinois citizens do not have the ability to pass their own statutes or repeal statutes passed by the state legislature. The initiative process in Illinois is only advisory. You can read more about the history of I&amp;R in Illinois <a href="/states/illinois/history">here</a>.</p><p><img src="/files/images/illinois.jpg" alt="IL" /></p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/trevorf/illinois-tough-initiative-process#commentsIllinoisNationalThu, 29 Oct 2009 12:11:28 -0400Staff2054 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois Gov. Quinn's Referendum Suggestion Snubbed by Househttp://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/brandon/illinois-gov-quinns-referendum-suggestion-snubbed-by-house
<p>Back in August Illinois Governor Pat Quinn issed and &#8220;amendatory veto&#8221; to House Bill 723, the <a href="http://www.freeandequal.org/2009/04/illinois-hb-723-the-protect-incumbents-act/">&#8220;Protect Incumbents Act&#8221;</a>. The bill deals with blocking minor political parties ability to put candidates on the ballot through a party meeting that occurrs after the primary election.</p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/brandon/illinois-gov-quinns-referendum-suggestion-snubbed-by-house#commentsballot accessfree &amp; equalfree and equalIllinoisincumbentspat quinnquinnreferendumthrid partiesvetoFri, 16 Oct 2009 12:03:46 -0400Staff1989 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgBinding ethics initiative possible in Illinoishttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/binding-ethics-initiative-possible-in-illinois
<p>Gov. Pat Quinn is pressing his case for giving citizens the right to toughen local ethics laws by referendum. The Democratic governor and longtime fan of citizen initiatives put the issue on the legislature&#8217;s fall veto session agenda by using his authority to rewrite a bill lawmakers sent him. He has asked lawmakers to go along with his changes, but it may be a long shot when they meet in Springfield in mid-October.</p>Chicago TribuneIllinoisWed, 26 Aug 2009 10:35:10 -04001709 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgSchool renovation defeated at ballot boxhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/school-renovation-defeated-at-ballot-box
<p>Voters soundly rejected a plan for the proposed $95 million renovation of Lake Central High School at the ballot box on Tuesday. Opponents outnumbered those in favor of the project &#8212; 59 percent to 41 percent. About 20 percent of registered voters &#8212; 8,529 people &#8212; in the school district voted on the question.</p><p><a href="http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/1625832,lcreferendum0617.article">Read the story from the <em>Post-Tribune</em></a></p>IllinoisPost-TribuneWed, 17 Jun 2009 10:35:10 -04001348 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois Governor Pushes for Statewide Recallhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/bettina/illinois-governor-pushes-for-statewide-recall
<p>Citizen led reform is a priority for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. He is working against the clock to push through his top issues before the official end of the state’s legislative session.</p> <p>Quinn, who is trying to create a stark difference between himself and his predecessor, the disgraced Rob Blagojevich, is making his mark as a reformer. At the top of his “must-do” list are ethics reform, passing a recall measure, public financing and allowing citizens to use binding referendums to enact reform when lawmakers do not.</p><p><a href="http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/bettina/illinois-governor-pushes-for-statewide-recall">read more</a></p>http://www.citizensincharge.org/blog/bettina/illinois-governor-pushes-for-statewide-recall#commentsIllinoisinitiative processRecallrecall electionReformThu, 07 May 2009 12:12:28 -0400Staff1115 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgQuinn calls reform commission report a 'blueprint,' stresses importance of voter recallhttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/quinn-calls-reform-commission-report-a-blueprint-stresses-importance-of-voter-recall
<p>The Illinois Reform Commission published its “100-Day Report” outlining recommendations for stanching statewide political corruption. The commission’s report was requested by Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn and aims to find concrete way to reform the ilinois government.</p><p>The Commission failed to find consensus on one reform measure the Governor is advocating, the power of recall. Discussing the recall process Quinn said, &#8220;That’s the ultimate way to get ethics in government.”</p><p><a href="http://www.citizensincharge.org/news/quinn-calls-reform-commission-report-a-blueprint-stresses-importance-of-voter-recall">read more</a></p>IllinoisMedill ReportsRecallrecall electionWed, 06 May 2009 16:43:44 -04001114 at http://www.citizensincharge.orgIllinois Voters Head to Pollshttp://www.citizensincharge.org/news/illinois-voters-head-to-polls
<p>Illinois voters will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a variety of issues. Advisory referendums dealing with issues ranging from tax measures to highway construction to secession from counties will be up for a vote.</p><p><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-election-box-07-apr07,0,6367568.story">Read the story from the <em>Chicago Tribune</em></a></p>Chicago TribuneIllinoislocal governmentreferendumtaxesMon, 06 Apr 2009 11:26:17 -04001017 at http://www.citizensincharge.org